1104 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Test of a machine for preparing- fiber, M. Ringelmaxx (Agr. Prat. Pai/s 

 Climtdx, 1 {1901), No. 3, ]>p. 293-301, figs. :?) . — -Tests of a machine invented l)y H.J. 

 Boeken, Diiren, Germany, on leaves of Agave rigida var. ahUanu and Fourcroya 

 giganten, and the stems of Musa paradisiaca are reported. 



Road improvement (Missouri Siate Bd. Agr. Mo. Bui, 1 (1902), No. 10, pp. 32, 

 tigs. o). — Report of proceedings, inckiding abstracts of address dehveredat the tenth 

 annual meeting of the Missouri Road Improvement Association. The subjects dis- 

 cussed were dirt roads, road making in southeast Missouri, qualifications of road 

 overseers, roads and rural mail delivery. 



Ventilation of farm stables, J. B. Reynolds {Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. Farm 

 Rpt. 1901, pp. 11-15, figs. 3). — A system of ventilation by means of pipes extending to 

 the floor of the stable and terminating at the peak of the roof in revolving cowls is 

 described. The pipes are so arranged that the air enters for the most part at the 

 floor in front of the stalls, the foul air passing out by means of pipes leading from the 

 ceiling of the stable to the roof of the ])arn. 



Cold storage, J. B. Reynolds {Ontario Agr. Col. and ExpA. Farm Rpt. 1901, pp. 

 6-11, figs. 3). — A brief report of the results obtained with the Hanrahan system of 

 cold storage installed at the college (E. S. R., 13, p. 394) is given, attention being 

 called especially to the importance of a good system of air circulation in order to 

 prevent dripping and mold and to insure a supply of comparatively dry and pure 

 cold air. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Agriculture, AV. P. Brooks {Springfield, Mass.: Tlie Home Correspondence ScJwol, 

 1901, vol. 1, pp. XVII ^199, figs. 55, map 1; vol. 2, pp. XXIV+ 201-541, figs. 119, 

 mapl; vol. 3, pp. XXI-f o43-855, figs. 122). — This series of books was prepared for 

 use in the correspondence course in agriculture offered ])y the Home Correspondence 

 School of Springfield, Mass. They deal in simple language with the scientific princi- 

 ples which underlie the various operations of a farm, and furnish " sources of practi- 

 cal information permanently valuable for reference." Volume 1, entitled Soils and 

 how to treat them, "treats of the composition and food of plants and tells from Avhat 

 sources the necessary elements are derived. This serves as an introduction to the 

 study of soils, which embraces a brief consideration of the action of the various agen- 

 cies which have helped to form and to improve them. Especial attention is paid 

 to the action of agencies which are no\v active; and the means which the farmer 

 may take to promote such action are carefully pointed out. The peculiarities of the 

 different classes of soil and their suitability to different crops are discussed. Then 

 follows a careful study of soils in their relation to air, water, and heat. The chemis- 

 try of soils, with especial reference to composition and the more important chemical 

 changes which go on in them, is treated at length. Following this tlie various oper- 

 ations which have for their object the amelioration of the soil are fully treated. This 

 section includes a careful explanation of the objects, results, and methods of tillage 

 and a description of the principal tillage implements. Drainage is treated at consid- 

 erable length, as also is irrigation." 



Volume 2, entitled Manures, fertilizers, and farm crops, is intended for use in con- 

 nection with volume 1 and deals with the composition, adaptations, and proper 

 methods of use of manures and fertilizers. Green manuring and crop rotation are 

 given special attention. Plant diseases and insect injuries are considered and the 

 nature, uses, soil adaptation;?, and manuring of each important farm crop is discussed, 

 with details as to planting, culture, and harvesting. The implements found most 

 useful in connection with the culture of the various crops are briefly referred to. 



Volume 3, entitled Animal husbandry, discus.?es the general principles of stock 

 feeding, breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, swine, poultry, the j)rinciples of animal 

 breeding, feeds and feeding standards and related topics. 



